Tissue container

ABSTRACT

A tissue container may include a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top and bottom walls; a first opening through which fresh tissue can be dispensed; a second opening through which used tissue can be inserted; and a repository disposed inside the housing and having an opening circumscribed by the second opening to allow used tissue to be inserted into the repository. The repository is operably connected to the bottom wall and is flexible between a first state at which the repository is folded and a second state at which the repository is expanded towards the top wall.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 17/465,998 filed Sep. 3, 2021, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/260,469 filed Aug. 20,2021. All the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a tissue container, and moreparticularly to a tissue container equipped with separate compartmentsfor dispensing of tissue and receiving used tissue.

BACKGROUND

Heretofore, the primary focus in improving tissue containers has beendirected to how the tissue container can keep the tissue productcontained and how the container can be opened to gain access to thetissue product. When a tissue is used and the user seeks to discard theused tissue, a problem arises if the user is not nearby a trashcontainer. In some instances, the user then sets aside the used tissueon the user's desk, table, floor, etc. until such time a trash containeris sufficiently accessible or nearby.

Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this areaof technology.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The tissue container of the present invention is designed with adisposal mechanism built on the container itself. The tissue containeris designed such that the disposal mechanism works without varying fromindustry standard sizes and shapes for tissue containers. This way, thetissue container of the present invention may be manufactured using thesame instruments including dies, cutters, folding machines, wrappers,etc. currently set up to construct standard sized tissue boxes. Also,the tissue container of the present invention may also be designed tocontain the standard amount or number of tissues as regular tissueboxes. As a result of the inventive design disclosed herein, the sameshelf space in supermarkets and other retail venues where standardtissue boxes of standardized sizes are sold may be used for the tissuecontainer of the present disclosure. The prior art may have includedtissue boxes that diverged from the standard shapes and sizes, renderingthose prior art boxes at best inconvenient for manufacturers,wholesalers and retailers and might make the product commerciallyinfeasible.

Additionally, many consumers install decorative covers over tissue boxesfor aesthetic reasons. Any change to the shape of the tissue box—whetheras manufactured or through expansion or change as a disposal containmentvolume increases in size through the insertion of used tissues or othermatter, would render the decorative cover unusable. The tissue containerof the present invention may accommodate standard covers.

The tissue container of the present invention may include a disposalcontainment volume with an opening at the bottom of the container. Thebottom opening may combine a slitted film and a hinged door. Thisprovides at least two distinct advantages. First, it maintains ahygienic barrier between the open bottom of the tissue container andwhatever surface upon which it rests. This is important because usedtissues are frequently germ-laden and contact with a surface couldcreate cross contamination. Second, without a barrier of some kind,lifting the tissue container could result in soiled tissues escapingfrom the bottom. The bottom opening used for disposing of used tissuesmay be of the same or different length and width of the top opening usedto dispense fresh tissues. In the case the top and bottom openings aresimilar, the bottom opening may have a different circumference or shapeor may be marked differently to easily distinguish between the twoopenings.

The tissue container of the present disclosure may include a membrane todivide a top volume where fresh tissue resides from a bottom volumewhere used tissue resides. The membrane may be made of biodegradableplastic or bioplastic. By utilizing bioplastic films—typically made fromrenewable raw materials—after use the entire container and its contentswould decompose into water, carbon dioxide and biomass through theaction of living organisms. If produced in this fashion, the containerwould be environmentally friendly, fully biodegradable, and consistentwith consumer interest in sustainable products.

According to one aspect of the invention, a tissue container includes ahousing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls betweenthe top and bottom walls; a top opening in the top wall through whichtissue can be dispensed; a bottom opening in the bottom wall throughwhich tissue can be inserted; and, a membrane disposed inside thehousing between the top wall and the bottom wall to divide the housinginto an upper compartment and a lower compartment, wherein the uppercompartment is above the membrane and the lower compartment is below themembrane; wherein the membrane has a center portion and a perimeterportion surrounding the center portion, wherein the perimeter portion isconnected to one or more of the top wall, the bottom wall, and the fourside walls, and the center portion is flexibly movable between a firstposition at which the center portion is closer to the bottom wall thanto the top wall and a second position at which the center portion iscloser to the top wall than to the bottom wall.

The membrane may be configured such that in the first position the uppercompartment has a larger volume than the lower compartment and in thesecond position the lower compartment has a larger volume than the uppercompartment.

The center portion may have an inverted cup-shaped or dome-shapedconfiguration.

The center portion may be configured in the first position to crumpletogether to have a relatively shorter inverted cup-shaped or dome-shapedconfiguration and in the second position to have a relatively tallerinverted cup-shaped or dome-shaped configuration.

The membrane may correspond to a relatively large bag that can take theshape of the void left behind by removal of fresh tissue. The perimeteropening of the bag may be secured (e.g., using adhesive) to the insideof the container.

The membrane may be connected at its perimeter to the perimeter of thebottom wall inside the housing.

The membrane may be connected to the housing to create an airtight sealand moisture resistant seal between the membrane and the housing.

The membrane may be made of a thin flexible sheet of plastic.

The membrane may be made of a polyethylene resin.

The housing may include a window to enable view of the membrane in thehousing when the upper compartment is empty of tissue.

The window may be in the top wall of the housing.

The window may include a transparent or translucent plastic film.

The top opening may be in the window.

The tissue container may further include a reclosable door attached tothe bottom wall of the housing and configured for movement between aclosed position in which the door covers the bottom opening and an openposition in which the door exposes the bottom opening such that a tissuecan be inserted through the bottom opening.

The reclosable door may include a flap portion and a hinge portion thathinges the flap portion to the bottom wall of the housing, wherein theflap portion has an edge that frictionally engages a portion of thehousing to maintain the reclosable door in the closed position.

The bottom wall may include a plastic film and the bottom opening may bein the plastic film.

The plastic film may be configured such that the bottom opening isexpandable to enable receipt of a used tissue therethrough into thelower compartment and retractable to narrow the bottom opening toprevent the used tissue from exiting the lower compartment.

The bottom opening may include a slit in the plastic film.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafterdescribed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a tissue container according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the FIG. 1 tissue container as viewedfrom the plane 2-2 in FIG. 1 , showing a center portion of a membraneand a perimeter portion of the membrane.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the FIG. 1 tissue container,showing a reclosable door in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 except showing the reclosable door inan open position.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the FIG. 1 tissue container as viewedfrom the plane 5-5 in FIG. 1 , wherein fresh tissue is in the uppercompartment and no used tissue is in the lower compartment.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 except wherein fresh tissue has beenremoved from the upper compartment and used tissue has been inserted inthe lower compartment.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 except wherein more fresh tissue hasbeen removed from the upper compartment and more used tissue has beeninserted in the lower compartment.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 except wherein the upper compartmentis empty of fresh tissue and still more used tissue has been inserted inthe lower compartment.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a tissue container according to afurther embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the FIG. 9 tissue container,showing a reclosable door in a closed position.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 except showing the reclosable doorin an open position.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the FIG. 9 tissue container as viewedfrom the plane 3-3 in FIG. 1 , showing a first portion of a repositoryand a second portion of a repository.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of the FIG. 9 tissue container as viewedfrom the plane 6-6 in FIG. 1 , wherein fresh tissue is in a housing andno used tissue is in the repository.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 except wherein fresh tissue hasbeen removed from the housing and used tissue has been inserted in therepository.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 except wherein more fresh tissuehas been removed from the housing and more used tissue has been insertedin the repository.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 except wherein the housing is emptyof fresh tissue and still more used tissue has been inserted in therepository.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an exemplary repository withfoldable ends wherein the foldable ends are in an unfolded state.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 except wherein the repository hastwo foldable ends folded over.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 except wherein the folded ends ofthe repository are fully folded over.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 except wherein multiple foldedrepositories are stacked on top of each other for manufacturing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention can take many different forms, for thepurpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modificationsof the described embodiments, and any further applications of theprinciples of the invention as described herein, are contemplated aswould normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates.

FIGS. 1-8 show an exemplary tissue container 10 of the invention. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tissue container 10 includes a housing 14having a top wall 20, a bottom wall 22, and four side walls 30, 32, 34,36 between the top wall 20 and the bottom wall 22. A top opening 40 isprovided in the top wall 20 and, as shown in FIG. 4 , a bottom opening42 is provided in the bottom wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 5-8 , a membrane60 is disposed inside the housing 14 between the top wall 20 and thebottom wall 22 to divide the housing 14 into an upper compartment 70 anda containment volume or lower compartment 72, wherein the uppercompartment 70 is above the membrane 60 and the lower compartment 72 isbelow the membrane 60. As shown in FIG. 2 , the membrane 60 has a centerportion 84 and a perimeter portion 86 surrounding the center portion 84.The perimeter portion 86 is shown connected to the bottom wall 22although it is contemplated that in other embodiments the perimeterportion 86 may be connected to one or more of any of the top wall 20,the bottom wall 22, and the four side walls 30, 32, 34, 36, so long asthe membrane 60 divides the housing into upper and lower compartments70, 72. The center portion 84 is flexibly movable between a firstposition, for example as shown in FIG. 5 , at which the center portion84 is closer to the bottom wall 22 than to the top wall 20, and a secondposition, for example as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 , at which the centerportion 84 is closer to the top wall 20 than to the bottom wall 22. Asshown in FIGS. 5-7 , fresh tissue, indicated by reference character FT,inside the housing 14 can be dispensed through the top opening 40 of thehousing 14 for example by pulling the fresh tissue FT by the human hand,as shown by arrow PFT. As shown in FIGS. 6-8 and described in greaterdetail below, once a user has used the tissue, the used tissue,indicated by reference character UT, can be discarded by inserting theused tissue UT through the bottom opening 42 and into the housing 14 forexample by pushing the tissue by the human hand, as shown by arrow PUT.

The membrane 60 can be made of any suitable flexible material such as athin flexible sheet of plastic similar in characteristics as a groceryshopping bag. In one form, the membrane 60 is made of a polyethyleneresin. The center portion 84 of the membrane 60 is configured to flexfrom a crumpled state, for example as shown in FIG. 5, to multipleprogressively increasingly less crumpled states, for example as shown inFIGS. 6-8 . In a crumpled state, the center portion 84 folds orcollapses upon itself bunched up with wrinkles and creases. In anuncrumpled state, the center portion 84 unfolds and exhibits fewer or nowrinkles or creases. In one form, the center portion 84 of the membrane60 is configured to flex between a relatively low profile as shown inFIG. 5 , and to uncrumple, or expand, into a relatively higher profile.For example, FIG. 6 shows the center portion 84 expanded to a relativelyhigher profile than that shown in FIG. 5 ; FIG. 7 shows the centerportion 84 expanded to a relatively higher profile than that shown inFIG. 6 ; and FIG. 8 shows the center portion 84 expanded to a relativelyhigher profile than that shown in FIG. 7 . In other embodiments, themembrane 60 may be made of other materials or have other flexibilitycharacteristics. For example, in some embodiments, the membrane 60 maybe made of a stretchable material so as to flex by stretching.

In one embodiment, the membrane 60 may be spirally pleated similar tostove top popcorn makers. The membrane 60 may expand into the uppercompartment 70 as explained herein by counter-spiraling as it is pressedtowards top wall 20 by the used tissue UT being inserted in the lowercompartment 72. This is expansion is similar to that of popcorn kernelsturning into popcorn in spiral-type stove top popcorn makers.

Turning to FIG. 2 , the membrane 60 is connected at its perimeterportion 86 to the perimeter of the bottom wall 22 inside the housing 14.As previously noted, the perimeter portion 86 need not be limited toconnection to the bottom wall 22 and other embodiments are contemplated,such as connection to any one or more of the top wall 20, the bottomwall 22, and the four side walls 30, 32, 34, 36. The perimeter portion86 can be connected to the housing 14 by any suitable means, forexample, by an adhesive or glue between the perimeter portion 86 and thehousing 14, by double sided tape adhesive between the perimeter portion86 and the housing 14, by stitching the perimeter portion 86 to thehousing 14, or by pinching the perimeter portion 86 between one or moreof the housing walls 20, 22, 30, 32, 34, 36. In the illustratedembodiment, the connection between the perimeter portion 86 of themembrane 60 and the perimeter of the bottom wall 22 inside the housing14 is by means of an adhesive that creates an airtight seal and moistureresistant seal between the perimeter portion 86 and the housing 14. Itwill be appreciated that the perimeter portion 86 can be connected tothe housing 14 by a combination of the foregoing connection or sealingmechanisms.

The perimeter portion 86 of the membrane 60 surrounds the center portion84 of the membrane 60. The center portion 84 is the flexible orexpandable portion of the membrane 60 that enables the tissue container10 to serve as a receptacle for receiving used tissue UT, or tissue thatis otherwise desired to be disposed of. The center portion 84 is bestshown in FIG. 2 where the center portion 84 extends from the perimeterportion 86 inward toward the geometric center of the housing 14 and moreparticularly the geometric center of the four side walls 30, 32, 34, 36.The center portion 84 also is shown in side cross section view in FIG. 5in a crumpled state, in FIGS. 6 and 7 in partially crumpled partiallyexpanded states, and in FIG. 8 in an uncrumpled or fully expanded state.In the illustrated embodiment, the center portion 84 has an invertedcup-shaped or dome-shaped configuration, where the height of thisinverted cup-shape or dome shape is most shallow in FIG. 5 and deepestin FIG. 8 . Thus, the center portion 84 is flexibly movable such that itcan take the FIG. 5 position where the center portion 84 is crumpledtogether to have a relatively shorter inverted cup-shaped or dome-shapedconfiguration and also take the FIGS. 6-8 positions where the centerportion 84 has a relatively taller inverted cup-shaped or dome-shapedconfiguration.

In some embodiments, the membrane 60 is simply a relatively large bagthat can conform fully to the shape of the void left behind by theremoved fresh tissues FT. The perimeter portion 86 of the bag may besecured (e.g., using adhesive) to the inside of the housing 14. Thisloose and flexible design of the membrane 60 allows for the entirevacated space to become part of the lower compartment 72 to be filledwith disposed materials UT.

The membrane 60 enables the upper compartment 70 that holds the freshtissues FT for dispensing to contract and the lower compartment 72 thatreceives used tissues UT to expand. Thus, the membrane 60 is configuredsuch that in the FIGS. 5 and 6 positions the upper compartment 70 has alarger volume than the lower compartment 72, and such that in the FIGS.7 and 8 positions the lower compartment 72 has a larger volume than theupper compartment 70. Advantageously, this allows the tissue container10 to serve two purposes, both a dispensing container purpose and asanitary waste container purpose, while occupying only a volume for onepurpose, that of a dispensing container. There may have been tissuecontainers in the prior art that allow used tissue disposal. However,none of those prior art solutions allowed for the sanitary disposal ofused tissues UT as does the membrane 60 of the present invention thattruly shields the fresh, unused tissues FT from the used ones UT. Thetissue container 10 keeps potentially germ-filled, used tissues UTseparated in a sanitary way from fresh, clean ones FT. This is usefulbecause more than one person likely uses tissues from the tissuecontainer 10.

In the present invention, the size or form factor of the container 10does not change from the point the container 10 only has therein freshtissue FT to the point where the container 10 only has therein usedtissue UT. Some prior art tissue containers had to grow in volume toaccommodate used tissue disposal. Not the container 10. This is not onlyan advantage for manufacturing, shipping, and shelf placement, but alsomany people put a decorative cover on tissue boxes and changed sizeswould render them unusable.

The present invention is also advantageous from a quantity of materialsperspective since most of the materials that enable the tissue container10 to function as a dispensing container also enable the tissuecontainer 10 to function as a waste container. For example, the top wall20, the bottom wall 22, and the four side walls 30, 32, 34, 36 of thetissue container 10 serve to contain both fresh tissue FT and usedtissue UT. Moreover, the container 10, unlike some prior art solutions,allow for components of the container 10, including the membrane 60attached to the side walls 30, 32, 34, 36 or other portions of thehousing 14 to remain as one assembly, easy to toss out in one step andnot multiple independent pieces of paper, cardboard, etc. In oneembodiment, the membrane 60 may be made of biodegradable plastic so thewhole container 10 may biodegrade when disposed of.

The walls 20, 22, 30, 32, 34, 36 of the housing 14 are made of cardboardexcept to accommodate various features noted herein. Referring to FIG. 1, the top wall 20 includes a window 90 to enable view of the membrane 60in the housing 14 when the upper compartment 70 is empty of fresh tissueFT. The window 90 can include a plastic film 90, as illustrated,connected to the remainder of the top wall 20, i.e., the cardboardportion of the top wall 20, or the window 90 can merely be an opening inthe top wall 20. In one form, the window 90 includes a transparent ortranslucent plastic film. The plastic film may have a color for examplegreen. The window 90 can take any size or shape and be located at anyportion of the top wall 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 90is circular in shape, centered in the top wall 20, and occupiesapproximately 80-90% of the width of the top wall 20. In otherembodiments, the window 90 may be other than circular in shape, forexample oblong or rectangular, and/or may be located in one of the sidewalls 30, 32, 34, 36 or in a combination of the top wall 20 and one ormore of the side walls 30, 32, 34, 36.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top opening 40 is built into thewindow 90. Thus, the window 90 acts both as a window and supportstructure for the top opening 40. As shown in FIG. 1 , the top opening40 includes a four slit configuration. As will be appreciated, thewindow 90 may be separate from the top opening 40. For example, thewindow 90, whether a plastic film or merely an opening, may be in a sidewall 30, 32, 34, 36 while the top opening 40 is in the top wall 20.Also, the top opening 40 need not be in a plastic film or have a fourslit configuration. Other embodiments are contemplated, for example, thetop opening 40 may simply be an opening in the cardboard structure ofthe top wall 20 and may have for example an elongated curvedconfiguration sized to enable a fresh tissue FT to be pulledtherethrough.

Turning to FIG. 4 , the bottom wall 22 includes a window 92 to enableview of the membrane 60 in the housing 14 when the lower compartment 72does not contain any used tissue UT, that is, before inserting the firstused tissue UT in the lower compartment 72. The window 92 can include aplastic film 92, as illustrated, connected to the remainder of thebottom wall 22, i.e., the cardboard portion of the bottom wall 22, orthe window 92 can merely be an opening in the bottom wall 22. In oneform, the window 92 includes a transparent or translucent plastic film.The plastic film may have a color for example red. The window 92 cantake any size or shape and be located at any portion of the bottom wall22. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 92 is rectangular inshape, centered in the bottom wall 22, and occupies approximately 50-90%of the width of the bottom wall 22. In other embodiments, the window 92may be other than rectangular in shape, for example oblong or circular,and/or may be located in one of the side walls 30, 32, 34, 36 or in acombination of the bottom wall 22 and one or more of the side walls 30,32, 34, 36. The window 92 may also be made of an elastic material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom opening 42 is built into thewindow 92. Thus, the window 92 acts both as a window and supportstructure for the bottom opening 42. As shown in FIG. 4 , the bottomopening 42 includes a slit configuration. In one form, the plastic film92 may be configured such that the bottom opening 42 is expandable toenable receipt of a used tissue UT therethrough into the lowercompartment 72 and retractable to narrow the bottom opening 42 toprevent the used tissue UT from exiting the lower compartment 72. Aswill be appreciated, the window 92 may be separate from the bottomopening 42. For example, the window 92, whether a plastic film or merelyan opening, may be in a side wall 30, 32, 34, 36 while the bottomopening 42 is in the bottom wall 22. Also, the bottom opening 42 neednot be in a plastic film or have a slit configuration. Other embodimentsare contemplated, for example, the bottom opening 42 may simply be around opening in the cardboard structure of the bottom wall 22 sized toenable a used tissue UT to be inserted therethrough.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the top window 90 andthe bottom window 92 have one or more of a different size, a differentshape, and/or a different color. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the top window 90 is larger than the bottom window 92; thetop window 90 is circular in shape and the bottom window 92 isrectangular in shape; and the top window 90 has a green color and thebottom window 92 has a red color. These differences aid in alerting theuser as to which end, i.e., top or bottom, of the tissue container 10 isupright.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the top opening40 and the bottom opening 42 have one or more of a different size, adifferent shape, and/or a different configuration. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the top opening 40 spans a greater percentage ofthe width of the top wall 20 than does the bottom opening 42 span thewidth of the bottom wall 22; the top opening 40 is sized to enable afresh tissue FT to pass therethrough and/or to enable the fingers of thehand to fit into the housing 14 to grasp a fresh tissue FT whereas thebottom opening 42 is sized to receive a used tissue UT therethrough; andthe top opening 40 has a four slit configuration and the bottom opening42 has a single slit configuration. These differences likewise aid inalerting the user as to which end, i.e., top or bottom, of the tissuecontainer 10 is upright.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tissue container 10 may also includea reclosable door 102 attached to the bottom wall 22 of the housing 14and configured for movement between a closed position (FIG. 3 ) in whichthe door 102 covers the bottom opening 42 and an open position (FIG. 4 )in which the door 102 exposes the bottom opening 42 such that a tissuecan be inserted through the bottom opening 42. In the illustratedembodiment, the reclosable door 102 includes a flap portion 106 and ahinge portion 108 that hinges the flap portion 106 to the bottom wall 22of the housing 14. The hinge portion 108 may be a pre-folded crease onthe bottom wall 22 so as to facilitate the creation of a clean “hinge”without the user having to carefully bend the flap. The flap portion 106edges 116 that frictionally engage conforming edges 118 of the housing14 to maintain the reclosable door 102 in the closed position. A fingercutout 124 may be provided in the flap portion 106 to facilitate easyopening and closing of the flap portion 106 by a finger of the hand. Inone form, the reclosable door 102 may be labeled “used tissue”, “waste”,or with an icon of a wastepaper basket or the like, to denote the bottomof the tissue container 10 as a receptacle for used tissue UT. Inanother embodiment, the door 102, although have an area similar to thetop window 90, may simply be shaped (e.g., rectangular, tabbed, etc.)differently from the top window 90 to indicate to user which side is fordisposing of used tissue. The container 10, therefore, doubly preventsused tissue UT (or matter attached thereto) from escaping the container10: the window 92 and the door 102.

In one embodiment, the housing 14 may include a see-through stripforming a window on one or more of the four side walls 30, 32, 34, 36such that the user may see “progress” of how many fresh tissues FTremain or how many used tissues UT there are in the container 10. In oneembodiment, the membrane 60 is opaque or translucent so that themembrane 60 may be seen through the window.

FIGS. 9-16 show a tissue container 200 in accordance with otherembodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the tissue container 200 includes a housing204 having a top wall 220, a bottom wall 222, and four side walls 230,232, 234, 236 between the top wall 220 and the bottom wall 222. A topopening 240 is provided in the top wall 220. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a bottom opening 242 is provided in the bottom wall 222. The bottomopening 242 may be covered and uncovered by reclosable door 246. Thereclosable door 246 provides access to a repository 250 which isdisposed inside the housing 204 between the top wall 220 and bottom wall222.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , a repository 250 has a first portion 252and a second portion 254 such that the first portion 252 and secondportion 254 are connected to form a receptacle. The repository 250 hasan opening 256 along the surface of the second portion 254 such that theinterior 258 of the repository may be accessed through the opening 256in the second portion 254. In this embodiment, the repository 250resembles a foldable bag with at least two sides (the first portion 252and the second portion 254) and an opening 256 formed on the secondportion 254.

The second portion 254 may be affixed to the bottom wall 222 around aperimeter of the bottom opening 242 such that opening 256 in the secondportion 254 may be accessed through the bottom opening in the bottomwall. The second portion 254 is shown connected to the bottom wall 222although it is contemplated that in other embodiments the second portion254 may be connected to one or more of any of the top wall 220, thebottom wall 222, and the four side walls 230, 232, 234, 236. The firstportion 252 is configured to be flexibly expandable between a first flatposition shown in FIG. 13 and expanded positions as shown in FIGS. 14-16.

FIGS. 13-16 depict how the first portion 252 is configured to expand asused tissue, indicated by reference character UT, is inserted into therepository 250. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , at which the firstportion 252 is closer to the bottom wall 222 than to the top wall 220,and second positions, for example as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 , atwhich the first portion 252 is progressively expanding closer towardsthe top wall 220 and away from the bottom wall 222. As shown in FIGS.13-15 , fresh tissue, indicated by reference character FT, inside thehousing 204 can be dispensed through the top opening 240 of the housing204 for example by pulling the fresh tissue FT by the human hand, asshown by arrow PFT. As shown in FIGS. 14-16 and described in greaterdetail below, once a user has used the tissue, the used tissue,indicated by reference character UT, can be discarded by inserting theused tissue UT through the opening 256 in the second portion 254 andinto the repository 250 which is disposed within the housing 204 forexample by pushing the tissue by the human hand, as shown by arrow PUT.

In some embodiments, the opening 256 in the second portion 254 may be aslit, as shown in FIG. 11 . In further embodiments it is appreciatedthat the opening 256 may be more than one slit, a hole, or any othersuitable means for a used tissue UT to pass through the opening 256 andinto the interior of the repository 250. The second portion opening 256is configured such that it may expand (i.e., open) to allow for the usedtissue UT to easily pass through the opening 256 into the interior ofthe repository 250 and then retract (i.e., close) to prevent the usedtissue from exiting the repository 250.

The repository 250 can be configured as a bag, a tube, or any suitablereceptacle that has an interior volume that can be compressed andexpanded easily. The repository can be made of any suitable flexiblematerial such as a thin flexible sheet of plastic similar incharacteristics as a grocery shopping bag. In one form, the repository250 is made of a polyethylene resin. The first portion 252 is configuredto allow for the repository 250 to be stored in a folded, compressed, orflat state when the housing 204 is full of fresh tissue FT, as shown inFIG. 13 . When in the compressed state, the first portion 252 folds orcollapses upon itself such that it may be bunched or folded.

In some embodiments a removable adhesive 264 may be disposed along theouter surface 268 of the first portion 252. The removable adhesive 264may be comprised of tape, adhesive putty, adhesive gel, glue, acombination thereof, or any other suitable means of releasably affixingthe first portion 252. The removable adhesive 264 is configured toretain the first portion 252 in the folded state. As the repository 250is filled with used tissue UT the first portion 252 expands towards thetop wall. The removable adhesive 264 is configured to detach when enoughused tissue UT is inserted into the repository 250 to allow forexpansion.

The first portion 252 of the repository 250 is configured toprogressively expand from the most crumpled first position, as shown inFIG. 13 , to more a more expanded second position as shown in FIGS.14-16 until the repository 250 fills the majority of the housing 204. Inother embodiments, the repository 250 may be made of other materials orhave other flexibility characteristics. For example, in someembodiments, the repository 250 may be made of a stretchable material soas to flex by stretching.

Turning to FIGS. 11-12 , the second portion 254 of the repository 250 isconnected to the bottom wall 222 of the housing 204. The second portion254 is affixed to the bottom wall 222 along the perimeter of the bottomopening 242. The second portion 254 can be connected to the housing 204by any suitable means, for example, by an adhesive or glue between thesecond portion 254 and the housing 204, by double sided tape adhesivebetween the second portion 254 and the housing 204, or by stitching thesecond portion 254 to the housing 204. In the illustrated embodiment,the connection between the second portion 254 of the repository 250 andthe bottom wall 222 inside the housing 204 creates an airtight seal andmoisture resistant seal. In some embodiments, it may be desirable forthe second portion 254 to be connected to the housing 204 by acombination of the foregoing connections or sealing mechanisms.

Turning now to FIGS. 17-20 , which depict an exemplary repository 250 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Therepository 250 may be a fully sealed receptacle except for the opening256. As discussed above, the opening 256 may be a slit, hole, and/oraperture in the repository 250 such that the used tissue UT may beinserted into the interior 258 of the repository 250. The opening 256 isdepicted as a vertical slit centered on the second portion 254, but theopening 256 may be horizontal or diagonal or may be off centered alongthe second portion 254.

The repository 250 may be shaped as depicted in FIG. 17 , a rectangle(e.g., square) having foldable ends 253. The illustrated configurationallows for the ends 253 of the repository 250 to be folded inwardlyalong fold lines 255, turning the repository from the unfolded shapeinto a rectangular (e.g., square) shape, as depicted in FIGS. 18-20 .The folding is considerably advantageous in the manufacturing processbecause repositories 250 may be created en masse and stacked for quickassembly and affixed (e.g., adhered using an adhesive circumscribing theopening 256 and the opening 242) to the housing 204 of a tissue box bymachine or by hand.

As the repository 250 is being filled with used tissue UT, the foldedsides 253 unfold and conform to the structure of the interior of thehousing 204. The repository 250 as illustrated offers another advantagein that, when all the fresh tissue FT has been used and then insertedinto the repository 250 as used tissue UT, the filled repository 250 maybe easily removed from the housing 204 (e.g., by pulling). The separatedhousing 204 and filled repository 250 may be disposed of separately asneeded for waste removal or recycling purposes.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11 , the tissue container 200 may alsoinclude a reclosable door 246 which is attached to the bottom wall 222of the housing 204 and is configured for movement between a closedposition (FIG. 10 ) in which the door 246 covers the bottom opening 242and an open position (FIG. 11 ) in which the door 246 exposes the bottomopening 242 such that a tissue can be inserted through the bottomopening 242 and the second portion opening 256. In the illustratedembodiment, the reclosable door 246 includes a flap portion 270 and ahinge portion 272 that hinges the flap portion 270 to the bottom wall222 of the housing 204. The hinge portion 272 may be a pre-folded creaseon the bottom wall 222 so as to facilitate the creation of a clean“hinge” without the user having to carefully bend the flap. The flapportion 270 includes edges 276 that frictionally engage conforming edges278 of the housing 204 to maintain the reclosable door 246 in the closedposition. A finger cutout 286 may be provided in the flap portion 270 tofacilitate easy opening and closing of the flap portion 270 by a fingerof the hand.

It is to be appreciated that although the depicted embodiments show thesecond portion 254 connected to the bottom wall 222, it is to beappreciated that the repository 250 and its second portion 254 may beconnected to any one of the top wall 220, a bottom wall 222, and fourside walls 230, 232, 234, 236 so long as whichever surface is theconnected surface has an access opening. The second portion 254 isconnected around the perimeter of the access opening 242 such that thesecond portion opening 256 is easily accessible. As used tissue UT areinserted into the repository 250 through the second portion opening 256,the first portion 252 of the repository 250 expands towards the oppositesurface from the connected surface. For example, if the connectedsurface is the top wall 220, then the first portion 252 will expandtowards the bottom wall. If the connected surface is one of the fourside walls 230, 232, 234, 236, then the first portion 252 will expandboth towards the connected surface's opposing wall and towards thebottom wall due to gravity.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions,etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describesuch elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany element which performs the specified function of the describedelement (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodimentsof the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of theinvention may have been described above with respect to only one or moreof several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined withone or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desiredand advantageous for any given or particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue container, comprising: a housing havinga top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls between the top andbottom walls; a top opening in the top wall through which fresh tissuecan be dispensed; a bottom opening in the bottom wall; a repositorydisposed inside the housing between the top wall and the bottom wall forreceiving and containing the used tissue in a separate volume from thefresh tissue; and wherein the repository has a first portion and asecond portion, wherein the second portion is connected to the bottomwall and the second portion has an opening through which used tissue canbe inserted, and the first portion is movable from a compressed positionto an expanded position as used tissues are inserted into therepository.
 2. The tissue container according to claim 1, wherein therepository is folded in the compressed position such that the firstportion is adjacent the second portion.
 3. The tissue containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the repository is configured such that inthe compressed position the first portion is retained in a flatconfiguration.
 4. The tissue container according to claim 1, wherein therepository is configured such that in the compressed position the firstportion is retained in a flat configuration by a removably attachedadhesive.
 5. The tissue container according to claim 1, wherein therepository is configured such that in the compressed position the firstportion is retained in a flat configuration by a removably attachedadhesive, wherein the removably attached adhesive is comprised of tape,adhesive putty, adhesive gel, glue, or a combination thereof.
 6. Thetissue container according to claim 1, wherein the repository isconfigured such that in the compressed position the first portion isretained in a flat configuration by a removably attached adhesive,wherein the removable adhesive releases the expandable first portion asthe first portion progressively expands in volume as used tissue isinserted into the repository.
 7. The tissue container according to claim1, wherein the repository is a bag having the opening at one end.
 8. Thetissue container according to claim 1, wherein the repository is a bagthat expands in volume as used tissue is inserted into the repositorythrough the opening.
 9. The tissue container according to claim 1,wherein the second portion of the repository is connected to the bottomwall around a perimeter of the bottom opening.
 10. The tissue containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the repository isconnected to the bottom wall around a perimeter of the bottom opening,wherein the repository is connected to the housing to create a moistureresistant seal between the repository and the housing.
 11. The tissuecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the repository is a tube oranother suitable expandable receptacle.
 12. The tissue containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the repository is made of thin flexibleplastic.
 13. The tissue container according to claim 1, wherein theopening in the second portion of the repository is a slit.
 14. Thetissue container according to claim 1, wherein the repository isconfigured such that the second portion opening is expandable to enablereceipt of a used tissue therethrough into the repository andretractable to narrow the bottom opening to prevent the used tissue fromexiting the repository.
 15. The tissue container according to claim 1,comprising a reclosable door attached to the bottom wall of the housingand configured for movement between a closed position in which the doorcovers the second portion opening and an open position in which the doorexposes the second portion opening, wherein the reclosable door includesa flap portion and a hinge portion that hinges the flap portion to thebottom wall of the housing, wherein the flap portion has an edge thatfrictionally engages a portion of the housing to maintain the reclosabledoor in the closed position.
 16. A tissue container, comprising: ahousing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and four side walls betweenthe top and bottom walls; a first opening through which fresh tissue canbe dispensed; a second opening through which used tissue can beinserted; and, a repository disposed inside the housing and having anopening circumscribed by the second opening to allow used tissue to beinserted into the repository; wherein the repository is operablyconnected to the bottom wall and is flexible between a first state atwhich the repository is folded and a second state at which therepository is expanded towards the top wall.
 17. The tissue containeraccording to claim 16, wherein the opening is a slit openable to enablereceipt of a used tissue therethrough into the repository and closableto narrow the slit to prevent the used tissue from exiting therepository.
 18. The tissue container according to claim 16, wherein aportion of the repository adjacent the opening is operably adhered tothe bottom wall such that the opening is circumscribed by the secondopening.
 19. The tissue container according to claim 16, wherein thebottom wall has a reclosable door configured for movement between aclosed position in which the door covers the opening in the repositoryand an open position in which the door exposes the opening in therepository.
 20. The tissue container according to claim 16, wherein thebottom wall has a reclosable door configured for movement between aclosed position in which the door covers the opening in the repositoryand an open position in which the door exposes the opening in therepository, wherein the reclosable door includes a flap portion and ahinge portion that hinges the flap portion to the bottom wall of thehousing, wherein the flap portion has an edge that frictionally engagesa portion of the housing to maintain the reclosable door in the closedposition.